Mandatory Drug Testing for Public Assistance

Mandatory drug testing should be required for people wanting public assistance. It is used in order to stop habitual offenders that misuse the benefits that the government provides to us, the tax payers. It is our hard earned tax dollars that fund these benefits. This argument is to reason that we need to take control as employers to stop the misuse of benefits that pay for illegal drugs.

As a tax payer, you are considered an employer for all of the recipients of state and federal assistance. Public assistance recipients are the employees of the tax payers. Drug tests are then used to make sure that these funds of the employers are not abused by people on public assistance purchasing illegal drugs. States have an obligation to hold those on public assistance accountable for their actions. Receiving a public assistance is a privilege, not a right. The debate on drug testing public assistance recipients is simply about the responsible use of our hard earned tax dollars.

One-third of American corporations now require their employees to be tested for drug use. These requirements are compatible with general employment law while promoting the public's interest in fighting drug use. Moreover, the United States Supreme Court has ruled that drug testing programs are constitutionally permissible within both the public and the private sectors. It appears mandatory drug testing is a permanent fixture of American corporate life. (Bakaly, C. G., Grossman, 1989)

Since its inception in 1939, The United States public assistance program has helped families in crisis. Other welfare programs, such as TANF and WIC, have truly made a difference in the lives of American families. Families are kept together, children are healthier and often times, recipients are able to use the welfare to help them as they find a new job. In some cases, welfare might even save lives. But, of course, the system has its flaws, and many...

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...PublicAssistance is government aid to needy, aged, or disabled persons and to dependent children (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). All publicassistance applicants should be required to take a mandatorydrug test before they can qualify to receive any form of publicassistance. Drug tests can detect a number of different illegal substances like, marijuana, steroids, amphetamines, cocaine, PCP, and opiates. “More than 22 million Americans age 12 and older - nearly 9% of the U.S. population - use illegal drugs, according to the government’s 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health”(CNN). One should never feel they are entitled to publicassistance, it should be felt as more of a privilege. Sadly, in the last ten years, our economy has unfortunately depreciated rapidly. The economy is so bad at this point, that it can be very difficult to find employment. For some, it can be impossible, especially if uneducated. The result is that more people, now than ever, are applying for publicassistance. The amount of publicassistance being paid for food stamps, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is so high, it is imperative that we find a way to fix this situation to prevent so many people from taking advantage of...

...2013 Legislation
At least 29 states have introduced legislative proposals requiring drugtesting or screening for publicassistance applicants or recipients in 2013.
Legislative Proposals:
Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia
Legislative Enactments:
The Kansas legislature passed SB 149 and Governor Brownback signed the bill into law on April 16, 2013, requiring the Department for Children and Families to establish a drug screening program for applicants and current recipients of cash assistance when reasonable suspicion exists that the person is using controlled substances. Kansas SB 149 requires the Department for Children and Families to establish a drug screening program by January 1, 2014 for applicants and recipients of cash assistance when reasonable suspicion exists that the person is using controlled substances. The suspicion can be based on a person’s demeanor, missed appointments, police records, termination from previous employment due to substance use or prior drug screening records. If the drug test result is positive the person is required to...

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Should recipients of welfare be drug tested? Is it constitutional or a violation of the 4th amendment? I believe that money could be saved by drugtesting these recipients. Many Americans do not enjoy throwing away money, but tax payers could unknowingly be doing just that. There are 15 million welfare recipients’ in the US currently receiving welfare benefits. Many have abused this assistance program using the money for the purchase of unlawful substances. 39.5 million Drug abusers are on welfare, and there are no laws preventing them from abusing the system. As a concerned tax payer I believe these funds could be better spent on job opportunities, upkeep in the community, and education. Obtaining government assistance should require some personal responsibility; otherwise our tax dollars are being put to no good use but contributing to a filthy habit. Mandatorydrug testing’s will help spare tax dollars from the shadows of the drug trade.
In order to receive financial assistance from the government you have to take a drug test and also pay for the drug test out of your own pocket. The cost of an average drug test is $8-$12, if you pass the drug test your money is reimbursed and you are eligible for welfare. However, if you fail the drug test the money...

...Mandatorydrugtesting for welfare recipients is right and reasonable in order to stop the habitual offenders of misusing this benefit. Are the hard working drug tested tax payers ready to support this law since it’s the hard earned tax dollars that fund these benefits? The argument stands to reason that we need to take control as employers to stop the misuse of benefits that pay for illegal drugs.
MandatoryDrugTesting for Welfare Recipients
Did you know that as a tax payer, you are considered and employer? Tax payers are considered employers for all of the recipients of state and federal assistance. Welfare recipients are the employees the tax payers. So, let’s make sure as the employers that these funds are not abused by purchasing illegal drugs. Qualifying and receiving welfare is a privilege and NOT a privilege, right or entitlement for being a welfare recipient.
In 1996, the Welfare reform Act gave all the states permission to impose mandatorydrugtesting a prerequisite and guideline to receive and qualify for welfare benefits. Since 1996 there have been numerous states that have argued this idea within their house. Recently Governor Rick Scott, R Florida, states “ It's not right for taxpayer money to be paying for somebody's drug addiction, On top of...

...Patti Pangallo
GE217
14 November 2011
Mandatory Random DrugTesting
Crunch! A warehouse employee’s foot has just been run over by a forklift driver. During the accident investigation it was discovered that the forklift driver had been under the influence of marijuana. No one wants his/her doctor to be drunk or high on drugs as he slices him/her open with a scalpel. Regardless if the operation is successful, he/she will be much happier knowing the doctor was not impaired. A person walking his/her dog on a sidewalk near a high-rise construction site sees a construction crane. He/she will be much more content knowing that the crane operator knows exactly what he/she is doing. Mandatorydrugtesting is necessary to maintain a safe work environment.
In 1986, former President Ronald Reagan signed Executive Order 12564, which requires all federal employees to avoid using illegal drugs, whether on or off-duty, as a condition for federal employment. In 1988, Congress passed the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, which, in turn, initiated the creation of federal Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace DrugTesting Programs (Section 503 of Public Law 100-71). The mandatory guidelines apply to the uniformed services, contractors or service providers under contract...

...MandatoryDrugTesting for Welfare Recipients
Introduction
Mandatorydrugtesting for welfare recipients is a controversial issue. Should the government hold people accepting government entitlement’s accountable for illegal drug use or would this type of action cross the boundary of civil liberties into an invasion of privacy? The government has a vested interest in getting welfare recipients back into the working population. Holding welfare recipients accountable for illicit drug use only ensures the government’s monetary investment in human resources is protected. Mandatorydrugtesting for welfare recipients would be beneficial to the state despite its initial cost to initiate the program.
There are many benefits of MandatoryDrugTesting Welfare Recipients. The state of Florida implemented a mandatorydrugtesting program for their welfare recipients. According to studies, the drugtesting program cost the state $45,580. Only 2% of the applicants tested positive for illegal drugs (White, 2012). The purpose of the program is to ensure government funds aren’t subsidizing a drug habit. Proponents of the law in Florida insist that drugtesting...

...Welfare Programs Should Not Require MandatoryDrugTesting
There are many welfare programs available to the public that a lot of individuals depend upon. Without access to certain benefits some people may not survive. Such benefits include food stamps, medical assistance, cash assistance, day care vouchers and job placement assistance. Although some may argue that there are people who take advantage of the welfare programs, there are plenty of people who require and appreciate the benefits provided. Recently there has been talk of drugtesting welfare recipients. Because the public is concerned with welfare recipients taking advantage of the system they want to keep drug addicts from receiving benefits. This is a major controversy right now is our society but once investigated it is clear that welfare programs should not require mandatorydrugtesting.
Dealing with social services and being a part of the welfare programs is not a fun time. Acquiring benefits usually consists of long wait times, a lot of paperwork and rude or irritated social workers. While receiving benefits it is a requirement that you re-certify about every 3 to 6 months. That means resubmitting all paperwork and information again, with or without changes. If your paperwork does not arrive on time to the...

...﻿INTRODUCTION
The proposed legislation on mandatorydrugtesting on all prisoners, probationers, and individuals who are under the influence of illegal drugs can be subject to attack on its constitutionality on grounds of its possible violation of a person’s right to privacy. As the Supreme Court held in the case of Social Justice Society versus Dangerous Drugs Board and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), mandatorydrugtesting, to be constitutional, must adhere to the principles of “randomness” and “suspicionless”. A discussion of its constitutionality, as well as their respective moral/logical justification, will be made one by one.
DISCUSSION
I. PROBATIONERS AND PAROLEES
Probationers and parolees are inmates who were qualified for released after compliance with their respective conditions. They are outside of prison walls and therefore back to the community where they belong and therefore once again open to temptations from former peers. However, their release is subject to a suspensive condition; to become a valuable member of the community, to engage in a productive livelihood and to not to be a menace to the community. Since these persons are still under the jurisdiction of their respective officers, it is imperative upon the our judicial system and our State to see to it that these individuals’ health are being monitored,...